Maryland's lottery director resigns

Stephen Martino, the director of the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency, is leaving his job later this month to become a partner at a private law firm in Baltimore.

In a letter sent to his staff Tuesday morning, Martino wrote that he informed Maryland Governor Larry Hogan's office yesterday that he is resigning his position and that his last day in office will be March 27.

Martino was appointed as director of the agency in 2010 by then governor, Martin O'Malley.

"Governor Hogan thanks Stephen Martino for his dedicated service as director of the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency," said Gov. Hogan's press secretary Erin Montgomery in a prepared statement. She added that the Hogan administration is actively searching for a new director for the agency.

Martino, who will take a job as a partner with Duane Morris in its Baltimore office, oversaw the arrival and implementation of casino gambling in Maryland. Five casinos have opened in Maryland since 2010 and another, the $925 million dollar MGM National Harbor taking shape in Prince George's county, is scheduled to open next year.

"It has been an honor to work with you and serve the State of Maryland during this time of extraordinary change for the agency and the state's gaming policy," Martino wrote in the email to his staff. "We've successfully opened five casinos that have increased revenues to Maryland's public education system and employed thousands. The traditional lottery is one of the most accomplished in the world, annually sending more than half a billion dollars to the state general fund. And, all of our work has been done with integrity, transparency and a commitment to responsibility. I'm proud of what we have done together and appreciate your considerable efforts, which have been the bedrock of our success."

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I'm truly flattered, but I think they'll probably look for someone who is more of a marketing guru for the job. If you think about it, state lotteries are really giant marketing companies, so they would typically look for someone with that background.